Representatives of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation held a virtual meeting on Monday with officials from the All Nepal Football Association and the National Sports Council in a fresh effort to resolve Nepal’s protracted football dispute.

FIFA and the AFC asked the National Sports Council to withdraw its suspension against ANFA and revert to the previously announced election schedule. The meeting was attended by six representatives from FIFA and the AFC, including FIFA’s Head of MA Governance Rolf Tanner, AFC Deputy General Secretary Vahid Kardany, FIFA officials Prince Rufus, Sanjeevan Balasingam and Yasuko Takano, and South Asia unit chief Niren Mukherjee.

From the council, Member Secretary Ram Charitra Mehta and Sanu KC took part, while General Secretary Kiran Rai, CEO Indraman Tuladhar and media officer Shailendra Adhikari represented ANFA.

According to officials present, FIFA made it clear that ANFA’s elections must be conducted freely and independently, without any external interference. It warned that Nepal could face suspension if such conditions are not ensured. FIFA described the council’s move to suspend ANFA as ‘third-party’ interference.

During the talks, the council defended its action, saying it was taken in accordance with its own regulations. FIFA, however, insisted that the matter must be handled in line with international football statutes.

The council also argued that ANFA’s elections should follow a tier-based structure. FIFA rejected the claim, saying ANFA’s general assembly had made no such decision. It said it had reviewed the assembly’s documents, which did not mention any provision for tiered elections.

FIFA has also asked the council to provide an English version of its statute for further review. The council, for its part, proposed holding further in-person discussions, stressing that Nepal should not face a FIFA suspension.